Photo: Ebyabe via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
SETTLE · NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDES
Pinecrest is the village Miami chooses when it wants space: large lots, a true tree canopy, and single-family homes with real gardens. It is one of the most expensive — and most deliberately residential — markets in Miami-Dade County.
Families move here for room to breathe and top-rated schools. Relocated executives choose it for quiet streets and privacy, trading beach proximity for tranquility. What you will not find is a condo market: Pinecrest is almost entirely houses, and that shapes everything about renting and buying here.
Who is Pinecrest for?
- Families who want space, green surroundings, and strong public and private schools.
- Executives relocating to Miami who prioritize a quiet, private home base over nightlife or the beach.
- Buyers with a solid budget: Pinecrest is among the priciest home markets in the county, and being upfront about that is part of choosing well.
- Less ideal if you want walkable urban life, a condo lifestyle, or a short commute to Brickell or Miami Beach.
What renting looks like
Pinecrest rents the way it sells: houses, not apartments. Typical ranges for single-family homes:
| Property | Typical rent |
|---|---|
| 3BR house | $6,500–$9,000/mo |
| 4BR house | $8,000–$12,000/mo |
| 5BR+ estate home | $12,000+/mo |
Rental inventory here is genuinely scarce — public listings usually number only a few dozen, and Zillow’s average rent across all property types was $4,695 in 2026. The best houses move fast. If you are relocating on a timeline, start early and stay flexible.
What buying looks like
- Pinecrest is one of Miami-Dade’s most expensive markets: Zillow put the median home value at $2.2M in August 2026 — more than three times the county median.
- Most single-family homes trade between $1.8M and $5M; turnkey or newer homes on prime streets run $3M–$6M+.
- Estates on large lots go from $6M up; the median listing price was $4.4M (Realtor.com, 2026).
- The market is almost entirely single-family homes on large lots — no condo towers, no apartment blocks.
Schools
Public (Miami-Dade County Public Schools): Pinecrest Elementary, Howard Drive Elementary, Palmetto Middle, and Miami Palmetto Senior High serve the village — consistently among the county’s top-rated schools.
Private options in and around the village: Gulliver Preparatory (Upper School campus in Pinecrest), Westminster Christian School, St. Thomas Episcopal Parish School, and Palmer Trinity School.
Always verify your home’s school zoning with Miami-Dade County Public Schools — boundaries can shift.
Parks and outdoor life
Pinecrest Gardens is the village’s botanical garden and cultural center, with lakes, walking paths, concerts, and events year-round.
The village’s own parks are woven through the neighborhoods: Evelyn Greer Park, Coral Pine Park (tennis), Suniland Park, and Flagler Grove Park — sports fields, playgrounds, and green space within minutes of most homes.
Shopping
The Falls — the area’s open-air shopping center at 8888 SW 136th St — sits minutes south of the village and covers most everyday retail.
Dadeland Mall and the Shops at Sunset Place are a short drive north for bigger retail runs.
Groceries
Publix Super Market at Pinecrest covers daily shopping inside the village, and another Publix sits on Dixie Hwy in neighboring Palmetto Bay.
Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods Market are a short drive away in the Kendall / South Miami area.
Photo: Ebyabe via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Commute and daily life
Approximate drive times, off-peak:
- Coral Gables: ~15–20 min
- Coconut Grove: ~20 min
- Downtown Miami / Brickell: ~25–30 min
- Miami International Airport: ~25 min
Pinecrest is car-dependent — plan on driving for nearly everything.
Good to know before choosing it
- Pinecrest is an incorporated village with its own police, parks, and services — and its own property-tax bill.
- Large lots mean more maintenance: landscaping is a real budget line here.
- Check flood zones and insurance costs before you buy, as anywhere in South Florida.
- It is quiet by design. If you want nightlife outside your door, look closer to the urban core.
Tell us about your move
No pressure and no generic listings blast. Tell us what you are looking for — budget, timeline, schools, must-haves — and we will tell you honestly whether Pinecrest fits, and what else to consider.
